Best Tankmates for Jack Dempsey?

[GentleGiantsCichlidKeeper]

I have recently bought a Jack Dempsey. He is currently in a 40 Gallon Breeder with other tankmates but can be moved. What's the best tankmates for him? Right now at his little size he seems to be mellow, and gets along with all my current tankmates. He's getting chased by my Convict Cichlid occasionally is the only real problem he has in this tank.

 

[Deadeye]

Your best bet would be a bigger tank. As he grows, the 40 will be enough for just him, and maybe the convict. He will be much happier in anything 60 or above though. I keep mine with a bp, convict, and Severum with no issues so far.

 

[GentleGiantsCichlidKeeper]

Your best bet would be a bigger tank. As he grows, the 40 will be enough for just him, and maybe the convict. He will be much happier in anything 60 or above though. I keep mine with a bp, convict, and Severum with no issues so far.

This is my exact tankmates that's with him now. I will look into the 60 gallon! Thanks!

 

[tlindsey]

Livebearer and a Tetra specie such as Buenos Aires will be good tank mates. I agree with Deadeye .

 

[Backfromthedead]

This is my exact tankmates that's with him now. I will look into the 60 gallon! Thanks!

A 75 will be a much better choice for that fish if you can manage it. Last I saw a standard 75 doesnt cost much more than a standard 60.

 

[GentleGiantsCichlidKeeper]

Livebearer and a Tetra specie such as Buenos Aires will be good tank mates. I agree with Deadeye .

If I moved him into a 55 gallon and put these tankmates with him would that be sufficient?

 

[tlindsey]

If I moved him into a 55 gallon and put these tankmates with him would that be sufficient?

Yes it should be but a couple of factors such as personality of the Jack Dempsey and the bioload. In rare cases a Cichlid may not tolerate any tankmates.

 

[Deadeye]

If you mean the dithers, yes, plus maybe another cichlid.
Jack may eat them as he grows though.

 

[Rocksor]

Once the make jack Dempsey reaches 9”, time to get a larger tank than 55/60g. You might as well just go straight to 75 g or larger for the JD plus dithers

 

[Jexnell]

Wait for Petco to have one of its sales. You can get a 75 for half of the normal cost of $200.
Or wait for Petsmart sales and get a 125 tank, stand, lids, lights for $500, normally $700.